Editor's picks
A local's shortlist — the places worth your time first, each with a tip.
Hagia Sophia & Sultanahmet
Landmark · Fatih (Old City)
The world-wonder Hagia Sophia faces the Blue Mosque across a park, with Topkapı Palace and the Basilica Cistern nearby.
Local tip: Go at opening to beat crowds and heat; visit the Blue Mosque outside prayer times and dress modestly (scarves provided).
Grand Bazaar & Spice Bazaar
Culture · Fatih
One of the world's oldest covered markets — thousands of shops of carpets, lamps, gold and spices.
Local tip: Haggle with a smile and compare a few stalls; the Spice Bazaar near Eminönü is smaller, tastier and less overwhelming.
Bosphorus ferry & Ortaköy
Nature · The Bosphorus
A public ferry up the strait passes palaces, fortresses and waterfront mansions between two continents.
Local tip: Take the cheap public ferry (İstanbulkart), not a pricey tour boat; stop at Ortaköy for a waterfront kumpir (loaded baked potato).
Galata Tower & Karaköy
Landmark · Beyoğlu
A medieval tower with panoramic views above the hip cafés, galleries and design shops of Karaköy.
Local tip: Skip the tower queue and get the same view with a coffee from a rooftop nearby; wander Karaköy's backstreets for the best brunch.
Kadıköy & Moda
Food · Kadıköy (Asian side)
The buzzing market, meyhane (taverns) and seaside Moda promenade — real, secular, local Istanbul life.
Local tip: Do the Kadıköy food market then walk the Moda coast at sunset; the ferry over from Karaköy is half the fun.
Balat & Fener
Hidden gemCulture · Fatih
Steep lanes of rainbow-coloured houses, antique shops and Greek-Orthodox and Jewish heritage.
Local tip: Come for golden-hour photos and a coffee; it's photogenic but residential, so be respectful around homes.
Explore 109 places across Istanbul
Museums, landmarks, monuments, heritage sites and parks — mapped, with photos. The most notable spots first.
Museums & galleries
(15)
MuseumTopkapı Palace
Palace museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Museum
Museum
Museum
MuseumTurkish and Islamic Arts Museum
Museum of Islamic arts in Istanbul
MuseumThe Museum of Innocence
Museum located in the district Çukurcuma in Beyoğlu district of Istanbul in Turkey
Museumİstanbul Modern
Contemporary art museum in Istanbul, Turkey
MuseumPera Museum
Art museum in İstanbul, Turkey
MuseumSakıp Sabancı Museum
Museum in Sarıyer, Turkey
MuseumIstanbul Naval Museum
Naval museum in Istanbul, Turkey
MuseumJewish Museum of Turkey
Museum in Beyoğlu, İstanbul, European Turkey
MuseumGreat Palace Mosaic Museum
Museum
Ortaköy Sanat Galerisi
Art gallery.
Siyavuşpaşa Kasrı
Museum.
Military Museum
Museum.
Landmarks & architecture
(20)
Landmark
Landmark
Landmark
LandmarkBasilica Cistern
Cistern of Byzantine Constantinople
Landmark
Landmark
LandmarkBeylerbeyi Palace
Building in Istanbul, Turkey
LandmarkGreat Palace of Constantinople
Byzantine imperial palace complex
Landmark
LandmarkKafes
The Cage, part of the Imperial Harem of the Ottoman empire
Landmark
Landmark
LandmarkBeyazıt Tower
Fire-watch tower located in the Istanbul University's campus
Landmark
Landmark
Landmark
LandmarkIhlamur Palace
Former imperial Ottoman summer palace located in Istanbul, Turkey
Belgrade Gate
Historic city gate.
Silivrikapı
Historic city gate.
Süvari Birliği Nalbanthanesi
Fort.
Monuments & memorials
(6)
MonumentMaiden's Tower
Lighthouse at the southern entrance of the Bosphorus in Turkey
MonumentWalled Obelisk
Roman monument in Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey)
MonumentBJK 100 Yıl Kartal Heykeli
Historic monument.
Portal by Ilhan Koman
Public artwork.
Atatürk Heykeli
Public artwork.
Places of worship
(59)
ReligiousHagia Sophia
Mosque, museum, and former church in Istanbul, Turkey
ReligiousSultan Ahmed Mosque
Historic mosque located in Istanbul, Turkey, also known as Blue Mosque
Religious
Religious
Religious
ReligiousHagia Irene
Byzantine church building in Istanbul, Turkey now a hall and museum
Religious
Religious
ReligiousLittle Hagia Sophia
Former Greek Eastern Orthodox church in Istanbul converted to a mosque
Religious
ReligiousSokollu Mehmed Pasha I Mosque
Mosque in İstanbul, Turkey
ReligiousBayezid II Mosque
Mosque in İstanbul, Turkey
Religious
ReligiousZeyrek Mosque
Religious building from the Byzantine Empire period
ReligiousMihrimah Edirnekapı Mosque
Mosque in İstanbul, Turkey
ReligiousPammakaristos Church
Former church, at present a mosque and museum in Istanbul
Religious
ReligiousChurch of the Holy Apostles
Church and imperial mausoleum in Turkey
ReligiousEyüp Sultan Mosque
Mosque in İstanbul, Turkey
ReligiousNuruosmaniye Mosque
Mosque in İstanbul, Turkey
ReligiousÇamlıca Mosque
Mosque in İstanbul, Turkey
Religious
Religious
Religious
Religious
Religious
Religious
Religious
Religious
Religious
Religious
ReligiousSinan Pasha Mosque
Congregational mosque in İstanbul, Turkey
ReligiousKoça Mustafa Pasha Mosque
Mosque in İstanbul, Turkey
ReligiousMihrimah Üsküdar Mosque
Mosque in İstanbul, Turkey
ReligiousHirami Ahmed Pasha Mosque
Mosque in İstanbul, Turkey
ReligiousKılıç Ali Pasha Mosque
Mosque in İstanbul, Turkey
Religious
ReligiousŞakirin Mosque
Mosque in İstanbul, Turkey
ReligiousSancaktar Hayrettin Mosque
Mosque in İstanbul, Turkey
Religious
Religious
ReligiousNusretiye Mosque
Mosque in İstanbul, Turkey
ReligiousGazi Atik Ali Pasha Mosque
Mosque in İstanbul, Turkey
ReligiousFiruz Ağa Mosque
Mosque in Turkey
ReligiousAtik Mustafa Pasha Mosque
Mosque in İstanbul, Turkey
Religious
Religious
ReligiousBulgarian St. Stephen Church
Church building in İstanbul, Turkey
Religious
ReligiousŞişli Mosque
Mosque in İstanbul, Turkey
ReligiousAtik Valide Mosque
Mosque in İstanbul, Turkey
Religious
Religious
ReligiousAshkenazi Synagogue of Istanbul
Synagogue in Istanbul, Turkey
Religious
ReligiousKüçük Mecidi Mosque
Mosque in İstanbul, Turkey
Surp Garabed Church
Place of worship.
Church of Saints Peter and Paul
Bereketzade Mahallesi
Place of worship in Bereketzade Mahallesi.
Church of Santa Maria Draperis
Place of worship.
Heritage & archaeology
(3)Magnaura Sarayı
Historic ruins.
Ancient Hippodrome Substructure
Archaeological site.
Osmanlı Hamam Kalıntısı
Historic ruins.
Parks & nature
(3)
Park
ParkGezi Park
Urban park in Taksim Square, Beyoğlu district, Istanbul, Turkey
ParkMore to explore
(3)Kanburun Bahçesi
Visitor attraction.
Erbilgin Yalısı
Visitor attraction.
Besteci Faik Canselen'in Evi
Visitor attraction.
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